More heartache for McCanns as Portuguese authorities delay release of police inquiry by three months

Last updated at 16:45 14 May 2008

Kate and Gerry McCann faced further heartache today after Portuguese authorities announced they would delay the release of an inquiry surrounding the police investigation into the disappearance of their daughter.

The couple must wait another three months to learn details of the inquiry into the disappearance of Madeleine, now 5, after the Portuguese State attorney announced an extension to to the period of judicial secrecy.

The McCanns and their legal team had hoped restrictions on the release of the file from the inquiry in Portugal would be lifted tomorrow.

Scroll down for more...

The move now means Gerry and Kate, who were named as formal suspects in their daughter's disappearance, face a summer of uncertainty over what police have done to find their daughter.

The couple, from Rothley in Leicestershire, became so frustrated at the dearth of information on the inquiry that they urged anyone who came forward as part of the official investigation to contact them.

They had hoped that the police dossier would be made public this month.

According to Portugal's new penal code, the initial period of secrecy for an investigation now lasts eight months, at which point details of evidence and interviews can be made public.

It is understood this period is being interpreted by judges as eight months on from September 15 last year, the date the code was changed.

But the McCanns' lawyers have told them that the Portuguese authorities can grant two three-month extensions.

It is thought this could leave the couple in the dark until November 15, when prosecutors must decide if they are charging them.

The couple's spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, said: "We cannot comment on reports in Portugal that the judicial secrecy period has been extended by another three months as Kate and Gerry's legal advisors have yet to be officially informed of any such decision.

"However, if it's the case, it's clearly disappointing and Kate and Gerry's lawyers will of course continue to press for the opening of the police file.

"You have to ask yourself how the period of secrecy remaining in place for such a long time actually does anything to help find Madeleine."

Interpol is reportedly investigating a possible sighting of Madeleine on a plane to Sao Paulo.

Mr Mitchell added: "As always, Kate and Gerry are not investing emotions in this. They want to hear from authorities or from our own investigative arm as to whether such sightings have any validity or not."